Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) voted this week to approve guidance on emotional distress damages for housing and commercial property discrimination cases.
This guidance provides clarity to all Pennsylvanians regarding how the PHRC will evaluate damages resulting from discrimination in housing and/or commercial property for humiliation and embarrassment. This guidance also clarifies the PHRC’s assessment of civil penalties.
“This is an historic update for the citizens of Pennsylvania,” said PHRC Executive Director Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW. “When individuals are denied housing due to discrimination, the impacts can be far reaching and long-term. The PHRC recognizes that this guidance will have widespread impact and hopefully will provide meaningful relief.”
“This guidance provides a framework for the commission to award monetary damages based on emotional distress due to humiliation and embarrassment,” added PHRC Interim Chief Counsel Morgan Williams. “This is an important step towards remedying the damage caused by discrimination.” In issuing this guidance, the PHRC reiterates its longstanding position that no two cases are the same. This guidance is not intended to impose hard and fast rules that must be absolutely applied without regard to the specific facts involved. Nothing in this guidance shall affect statutory or other regulatory requirements.
About PHRC: The PHRC, the state’s civil rights enforcement agency, urges anyone who has experienced acts of discrimination or hate to file a complaint by calling 717-787-4410. Information and resources are also available on the PHRC website. Follow the PHRC on X, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
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